Ok there is no place here on Yota tech for what is supposed to be a Toyota SUV and I have some questions.

1. Does anyone on here have any experience with the RAV4?
2. What did they use the engine in this vehicle for besides the RAV4?
3. Any serious issues with reliability with this model with the transimissions or engines?

I am looking at a '98 4 door right now for a possible aquistion, mainly to replace my son's Acura (89 with almost 200000 and it is ready to be retired). It is a '98 but has almost 300000 miles! Yeah you read that right, just over 24,000 miles a year average over the past 12 years. Have not heard it run yet as it is at an auction site but it looks in really nice shape. So when I have a question, I come to Yotatech!

 

My wife had a 96 Rav. Its got the 3sfe 2.0L. Same engine used in the Camry and Celica. It was GUTLESS in my AWD Rav.

It basically an AWD Camry. Good car though. Its just NOT for 4wheeling.

 

OME does sell a small lift and with stock sized AT tires they go quite well on forest roads, nothing too rough but not a bad all around 4x4 suv. My ex had a 98 2 door 4x4 with the convertible rear top, it was cool but really underpowered, but got around great in the snow and never once did I get it stuck driving it up in the mountain roads by my parents place down in central WV!

 

I agree, does great in the snow and forest roads. I darn near got it stuck going up a small hill. With a small lift and better tires it might do better, but then its basically polishing a turd.

FYI there is another thread in here discussing the RAV4 and its offroading abilities. I'm not sure your after that though, as your replacing an Acura. Seems like it would be a good fit for you.

Its biggest downfall for an overall daily driver would be the lack of power. Also I was only able to squeeze around 22-24 mpg with it. I was hoping for a bit more from such a small car. I think the AWD hurt it. If you were to get a 2wd it might get around better. Also, a manual trans would help in the power and economy department as well.

 

Yeah, hers was a 5 speed, it got an average of about 24mpg, it would have been nice if there would have been a 4x4 gear selector so you could shut down the rear drive 95% of the time. I wonder if make something like that? My mom drives an awd CRV with an auto and it gets about 26mpg and would run circles around a Rav4 in the power realm, its a 2003 and has never needed anything more than an 02 sensor...

 

My wife had 2001 RAV4 and yes, it is an SUV.
I modified it with 3" lift, 31" AT tires, front and rear steel bumpers, Swing-arm tire carrier and 2 gas can holders, skid plates, custom roof rack with light bar and M8'000 Warn.
We wheel it and it was very nice and good for off-roading taking in consideration of not having a low range.

 

The 4 cyl engine feels raspy and gutless on the two RAV4s I've driven and they were newer models, definately not as nice to drive as a 22re 4runner. I don't know if there's a V6 option, but if there is, I'd lean that way.

 

V6 is only available for last Generation '06+